Jurisdiction for case of dismembered woman turned over to Louisiana

The cold case murder investigation of Jaren Lockhart has gained renewed momentum due to new evidence. Officials confirm to WAFB 9 News that jurisdiction has been transfered from Hancock County to the Kenner Police Department.

"We presented new evidence to the Jefferson Parish District Attorney several weeks ago," Glenn Grannan, lead investigator for the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, explained. "The new information, from a circumstantial point, indicates a higher probability that the killing happened in Kenner. The evidence was strong enough to convince the District Attorney, which is huge."

Lockheart, a 22-year-old dancer, was reported missing to the New Orleans Police Department on June 6, 2012. Her dismembered body washed ashore on a beach in Bay St. Louis, Miss. over the course of several days.

Although investigators identified two suspects, Margaret Sanchez and Terry Speaks, they were unable to formally charge them due to a lack of evidence. The duo was arrested on unrelated charges during the weeks following Lockheart's death. Speaks remains in a New York federal prison, but Sanchez was released from the Tangipahoa Parish Prison.

Grannan says they are still the primary suspects in the case.

"We've had our gut feelings about what happened, but we haven't had enough evidence to support it," Grannan said. "We are a small department and we have limited resources for this investigation. The Kenner Police Department has a lot more at their disposal to keep this case alive."

The Pennsylvania Judicial Center serves as an administrative headquarters for Pennsylvania’s courts which are administered by the Supreme Court. (Source: Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania)

Court records in a monthslong legal fight over the report say it identifies more than 300 "predator priests" and that grand jurors accuse church leaders of brushing aside victims to protect abusers and church institutions.

Court records in a monthslong legal fight over the report say it identifies more than 300 "predator priests" and that grand jurors accuse church leaders of brushing aside victims to protect abusers and church institutions.

On Tuesday, Ford Motor Credit Company filed an objection to Reagor-Dykes Auto Group's request to hire a Chief Restructuring Officer, saying Reagor-Dykes Auto Group "created their own financial mess" and the company is not following the rules set in the court's interim cash collateral order by the bankruptcy judge.

On Tuesday, Ford Motor Credit Company filed an objection to Reagor-Dykes Auto Group's request to hire a Chief Restructuring Officer, saying Reagor-Dykes Auto Group "created their own financial mess" and the company is not following the rules set in the court's interim cash collateral order by the bankruptcy judge.

On Saturday, Reagor-Dykes Auto Group filed an order to allow 30 extra days for the group to submit schedules and financial statements. On Tuesday, the bankruptcy judge granted the motion and the company has until September 14 to submit all necessary documents to bankruptcy court.

On Saturday, Reagor-Dykes Auto Group filed an order to allow 30 extra days for the group to submit schedules and financial statements. On Tuesday, the bankruptcy judge granted the motion and the company has until September 14 to submit all necessary documents to bankruptcy court.